Thomas Teale

Thomas Anthony Teale, Jr., was born 7 November 1925, in Mount Ayr, Iowa, to Thomas Anthony Teale, Sr., and Leota (House) Teale. Tom passed away 17 July 2012, at Kavanaugh House on 56th Street in Des Moines.

Tom’s mother Leota passed away in March of 1932. His father Tom, Sr., his sister Rose Marie, and brother Clifford Dean moved to the home of Tom, Sr.’s father and mother, Charles and Teresa (Rauch) Teale, where they joined Charles William Teale, a cousin whose mother had also passed away. The children were raised by Grandma Rauch Teale, and all resided in that home until reaching adulthood.

Tom, Jr., attended the Mount Ayr School, graduating from high school with the class of 1943. While in school he participated in many before and after school activities, with football as his favorite.

When he attained the age of 18 in November of 1943, Tom was inducted in the United States Army at Camp Dodge. He was transferred to Camp Fannon, Texas, where he completed basic training and the Infantry Replacement Course. Upon completion of that training he was transferred to Company M. 14th Infantry Regiment, 71st Infantry Division. The division was transferred to the European Theatre of Operation in December of 1944, landing at LeHarve, France. The combat phase began at Strasburg France under General Patch Seventh Army. The division remained in that Army until reaching the West bank of the Rhine River, when it was transferred to the Third Army under General George Patton. At the conclusion of the war, the division was in Austria and returned to Bavaria, Germany, for occupation duty.

On return to the United States in April of 1946, he was assigned to Camp Atterberry, Indiana, where he was discharged 6 May 1946.

Tom returned to Mount Ayr upon discharge, and lived with his father and grandmother Teale until enrolling in Simpson College in September of 1946. While at Simpson College, Tom participated in many activities -- some good, some bad. His favorite again was football, where he lettered in his Junior and Senior years. In later life Tom was awarded and placed in double “S” award. He graduated from Simpson College in 1950, with majors in physical education, sociology, and history.

In 1951, he joined the Des Moines Police Department as a patrolman. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1958, to Lieutenant in 1963, Captain in 1965 and Assistant Chief in 1970. He retired in 1991 after 40 years of service.

He enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1952. Based on his experience in World War II and civilian education, he received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. He advanced through the ranks until he retired a Brigadier General in 1982.

He is survived by his daughter, Leota (Ronald) Lipovac; son, Thomas A. (Jean) Teale, III; and his granddaughters, Mikaila and Kelsey Teale.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Ayr Community High School, c/o Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.

The family would like to thank the staff at Iowa Methodist for their compassionate care, especially Dr. Jeff DeFrancisco.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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